Ink Tube Structure

ABSTRACT

An improved ink tube structure is disclosed. The improved ink tube structure of the present invention comprises a hollow ink tube and a writing tip. A first bent portion is disposed near the writing tip on the hollow ink tube so that a bent angle is formed at the first bent portion and a distance between the curvature center of the first bent portion and the end point of the writing tip is formed. In this way, an ergonomic design may be provided. A second bent portion may be disposed behind the first bent portion on the hollow ink tube. To keep the first bent portion from deforming, a retaining device is disposed at the first bent portion. A groove is provided on the retaining device so as to hold the first bent portion and keep the first bent portion from deforming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to an improved ink tube structure. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an improved ink tube structurethat can maintain its curvy structure.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The improved ink tube structure of the present invention is used insidea specially-shaped pen. As of now, pens do not necessarily have a lineardesign. An angle may be formed near the writing tip so as to achieve amore ergonomic design and this brings about specially-shaped pens.

However, most of ink tubes used inside of these specially-shaped pensstill have a linear design (so as not to increase the manufacturingcost) and those tubes acquire their curvy shape after each of them isplaced and squeezed into the housing of a specially-shaped pen by amachine.

Therefore, those ink tubes can not be sold in packages containing onlyone ink tube and consumers can not buy such refill. In addition, afteran ink tube runs out of ink, both the pen and its ink tube have to bethrown out. Therefore, the ink tubes of the prior art are not economicaland are not environmentally friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved ink tubestructure, which has one or two bent portions and allows a user tochoose a proper type of housing/pen to go with the improved ink tubestructure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved inktube structure, which may be adjusted according to the needs of a userso as to facilitate the ease of use.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an improved inktube structure, in which a retaining device is used so as to prevent theimproved ink tube structure from deforming.

The improved ink tube structure of the present invention comprises ahollow ink tube and a writing tip. A first bent portion is disposed nearthe writing tip on the hollow ink tube so that a bent angle is formed atthe first bent portion and a distance between the curvature center ofthe first bent portion and the end point of the writing tip is formed.In this way, an ergonomic design may be provided. A second bent portionmay be disposed behind the first bent portion on the hollow ink tube. Tokeep the first bent portion from deforming, a retaining device isdisposed at the first bent portion. A groove is provided on theretaining device and is configured to match the curve of the first bentportion so as to hold the first bent portion and keep the first bentportion from deforming. A stabilizing seat may be disposed under theretaining device and is integrally formed with the retaining device.

The improved ink tube structure of the present invention has thefollowing three advantages:

-   (1) The bent design of the improved ink tube structure allows the    ink tubes of the present invention to be individually packaged and    sold and allows consumers to choose a proper type of housing/pen to    go with the ink tube.-   (2) The improved ink tube structure allows consumers to replace only    the ink tube after it runs out of ink (in contrast, the ink tube of    the prior art has to be thrown out). Therefore, the ink tube of the    present invention is environmentally friendly.-   (3) A retaining device is used in the ink tube structure of the    present invention so as to prevent the improved ink tube structure    from deforming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings disclose several illustrative embodiments of the presentinvention which serve to exemplify the various advantages and objectshereof, and are as follows:

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing another embodiment according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing how a retaining device is fitted on the hollowink tube.

FIG. 4 is a view showing how a retaining device is fitted inmanufacturing.

FIG. 5 is a view showing how the retaining device of FIG. 4 has beenfitted in manufacturing.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the retaining device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a second bent portion according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the second bent portion of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing how a retaining device is fitted on thefirst bent portion and the second bent portion.

FIG. 9 is another view showing how a retaining device is fitted on thefirst bent portion and the second bent portion.

FIG. 9A is a cross sectional view of the retaining device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a view showing how a protective unit is fitted on the writingtip.

FIG. 11 is a view showing how the protective unit of FIG. 10 is fittedon the writing tip.

FIG. 12 is a view showing how the protective unit of FIG. 10 is fittedon the writing tip.

FIG. 12A is a cross sectional view of the retaining device of FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing how a stabilizing seat is disposedunder the retaining device.

FIG. 14 is another view showing the stabilizing seat of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view showing a stabilizing seat with a differentshape.

FIG. 16 is a top view showing the stabilizing seat of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a stabilizing seat with anotherdifferent shape.

FIG. 18 is a view showing how the stabilizing seat of FIG. 17 is fittedon the hollow ink tube.

FIG. 19 is a view showing how the stabilizing seat of FIG. 17 is fittedon the hollow ink tube.

FIG. 19A is a cross sectional view of the retaining device of FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 is a view showing how a thin-layered unit is fitted on thehollow ink tube.

FIG. 20A is a cross sectional view of the thin-layered unit of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please see FIG. 1. The improved ink tube structure of the presentinvention comprises a hollow ink tube 1 and a writing tip 2. The hollowink tube 1 may hold ink, and the ink may flow out of the writing tip 2and onto a writing surface.

A first bent portion 11 is disposed near the writing tip 2. A bent angleC is formed at the first bent portion 11; the bent angle C is between100 degree and 165 degree. The distance B between the curvature center Aand the end point 21 of the writing tip 2 is in the range from 1 cm to 3cm. The relevant studies have shown that such angle C and such distanceB are of the most ergonomic design. In use, the improved ink tubestructure of the present invention is placed inside the housing (notshown in the drawing) of a pen so as to be used for writing.

Now, please see FIG. 2. The hollow ink tube 1 may be consisted of twoparts—a shorter front portion and a longer rear portion 12 so as toincrease the strength and the ink carrying capacity of the hollow inktube 1 and to provide an additional design. The rear portion 12 has alarger inner diameter.

Now, please refer to FIG. 3. Because the hollow ink tube 1 is made offlexible plastic compound, it is subject to deformation. Therefore, aretaining device 3 is provided at the first bent portion 11. A groove isprovided on the retaining device 3 and is configured to match the curveof the first bent portion 11 so as to hold the first bent portion 11 andkeep the first bent portion 11 from deforming.

Please see FIGS. 4, 5 and 5A. The retaining device 3 may be a metallictube 31. In manufacturing, the metallic tube 31 is first placed over thefirst bent portion 11 and then is bent so as to keep the first bentportion 11 from deforming.

Now, please refer to FIGS. 6 and 7. A second bent portion 13 may bedisposed behind the first bent portion 11 on the hollow ink tube 1. Abent angle D is formed at the second bent portion 13; the bent angle Dis between 100 degree and 165 degree. Another angle E is formed betweenthe axis of the straight portion in front of the first bent portion 11and the axis of the straight portion behind the second bent portion 13.The bent angle E is between 10 degree and 40 degree. The relevantstudies have shown that such angles D and E are of the ergonomic design.

Please see FIG. 8. With regard to a hollow ink tube 1 that has a secondbent portion 13, a retaining device 3 is provided. The retaining device3 is configured to match the curves 32 of the first bent portion 11 andthe second bent portion 13. A groove 321 is provided on the retainingdevice 3 and is configured to match the curves 32 of the first bentportion 11 and the second bent portion 13 so as to prevent the firstbent portion 11 and the second bent portion 13 from deforming. As shownin FIG. 8A, the openings at the two ends of the retaining device 3 areslighter smaller than the rest parts of the retaining device 3 so as toprevent the accidental disengagement of the hollow ink tube 1 from theretaining device 3.

Please see FIG. 9. With regard to a hollow ink tube 1 that has a secondbent portion 13, the retaining device 3 may be a metallic tube 31. Inmanufacturing, the metallic tube 31 is first placed over the first bentportion 11 and the second bent portion 13 and then is bent. A connectiveportion 42 is provided to connect the lower end 33 of the retainingdevice 3 with a protective unit 4 of the writing tip 2. The connectiveportion 42 may be made of a flexible plastic material.

Please refer to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. In addition to the aforementionedretaining device 3, a protective unit 4 may be provided at the writingtip 2. The protective unit 4 has an upper opening 41 into which thewriting tip 2 may be inserted. The protective unit 4 is connected withthe lower end 33 of the retaining device 3. As previously described, agroove 321 is provided on the retaining device 3. In manufacturing, thewriting tip 2 is first inserted into the upper opening 41 of theprotective unit 4 and then a portion 42 of the protective unit 4 is bentto form a connective portion 421; then, the hollow ink tube 1 is placedinside the groove 321. In this way, both the writing tip 2 and the firstbent portion 11 may be fixed and protected.

Now, please refer to FIGS. 13 and 16A. To avoid the retaining device 3from deforming, a stabilizing seat 34 is disposed under the retainingdevice 3. The stabilizing seat 34 has a geometric shape and isintegrally formed with the retaining device 3. The stabilizing seat 34is able to keep the retaining device 3 from deforming.

Please refer to FIGS. 17 and 19A. The stabilizing seat 34 may havevarious types of shapes, such as the mountain shape (with an M-shapedcross section) in the present embodiment. The stabilizing seat 34, withits two side walls by the groove 321, is able to provide stable supportto the retaining device 3. In addition, the appearance of thestabilizing seat 34 is aesthetically appealing. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the mountain shape.

Now, please see FIGS. 20 and 20A. The retaining device 3 may be athin-layered unit 35 so as to facilitate packaging and display. Thethin-layered unit 35 has a groove 351, which can cover the hollow inktube 1 completely. A stabilizing piece 353 is provided on either side oredge 352 of the groove 351. Either stabilizing piece 353 has a geometricshape. In this way, the thin-layered unit 35, with its two stabilizingpieces 353, can keep the hollow ink tube 1 from deforming.

Many changes and modifications in the above described embodiments of theinvention can, of course, be carried out without departing from thescope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and theuseful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The improved ink tube structure of the present invention has thefollowing three advantages:

-   (1) The bent design of the improved ink tube structure allows the    ink tubes of the present invention to be individually packaged and    sold and allows consumers to choose a proper type of housing/pen to    go with the ink tube.-   (2) The improved ink tube structure allows consumers to replace only    the ink tube after it runs out of ink (in contrast, the ink tube of    the prior art has to be thrown out). Therefore, the ink tube of the    present invention is environmentally friendly.-   (3) A retaining device is used in the ink tube structure of the    present invention so as to prevent the improved ink tube structure    from deforming.

1. An improved ink tube structure, comprising: a hollow ink tube, whichmay hold ink; and a writing tip, characterized in that a first bentportion is disposed near the writing tip on the hollow ink tube and thatthe distance between the curvature center of the first bent portion andthe end point of the writing tip (along the axial direction of thewriting tip) is in the range from 1 cm to 3 cm.
 2. The improved ink tubestructure as in claim 1, wherein a bent angle is formed at the firstbent portion and the bent angle is between 100 degree and 165 degree. 3.The improved ink tube structure as in claim 1, wherein the hollow inktube may be consisted of two parts (a shorter front portion and a longerrear portion) and the rear portion has a larger inner diameter.
 4. Theimproved ink tube structure as in claim 1, wherein a retaining device isdisposed at the first bent portion so that the first bent portion may beplaced in the retaining device to keep the first bent portion fromdeforming.
 5. The improved ink tube structure as in claim 4, wherein theretaining device may be a metallic tube and, in manufacturing, themetallic tube is first placed over the first bent portion and then isbent.
 6. The improved ink tube structure as in claim 5, wherein astabilizing seat is disposed under the retaining device and is able tokeep the retaining device from deforming.
 7. The improved ink tubestructure as in claim 4, wherein the stabilizing seat is integrallyformed with the retaining device and the appearance of the stabilizingseat may be aesthetically appealing.
 8. The improved ink tube structureas in claim 7, wherein the retaining device may be a thin-layered unitand the thin-layered unit has a groove, and wherein a stabilizing pieceis provided on either side of the groove and has a geometric shape sothat the thin-layered unit, with its two stabilizing pieces, can keepthe hollow ink tube from deforming.
 9. The improved ink tube structureas in claim 1, wherein a second bent portion may be disposed behind thefirst bent portion and a bent angle, between 100 degree and 165 degree,is formed at the second bent portion.
 10. The improved ink tubestructure as in claim 9, wherein an angle, between 10 degree and 40degree, is formed between the axis of the straight portion in front ofthe first bent portion and the axis of the straight portion behind thesecond bent portion.
 11. The improved ink tube structure as in claim 9,wherein a retaining device is provided at the first bent portion and agroove is provided on the retaining device and is configured to matchthe curves of the first bent portion and the second bent portion so asto hold the first bent portion and the second bent portion and keep themfrom deforming.
 12. The improved ink tube structure as in claim 11,wherein the retaining device may be a metallic tube and, inmanufacturing, the metallic tube is first placed over the first bentportion and the second bent portion and then is bent.
 13. The improvedink tube structure as in claim 11, wherein a stabilizing seat isdisposed under the retaining device so as to keep the retaining devicefrom deforming.
 14. The improved ink tube structure as in claim 13,wherein the stabilizing seat is integrally formed with the retainingdevice and the appearance of the stabilizing seat may be aestheticallyappealing.
 15. The improved ink tube structure as in claim 11, whereinthe retaining device may be a thin-layered unit and the thin-layeredunit has a groove, and wherein a stabilizing piece is provided on eitherside of the groove and either stabilizing piece has a geometric shape soas to keep the hollow ink tube from deforming.
 16. The improved ink tubestructure as in claim 1, wherein a protective unit may be provided atthe writing tip and the protective unit is connected with the lower endof the retaining device, and wherein a groove is provided on theretaining device and, in manufacturing, the writing tip is firstinserted into the upper opening of the protective unit and then aportion of the protective unit is bent to form a connective portion andthen the hollow ink tube is placed inside the groove so that both thewriting tip and the first bent portion may be fixed and protected. 17.The improved ink tube structure as in claim 16, wherein a stabilizingseat is disposed under the retaining device so as to keep the retainingdevice from deforming.
 18. The improved ink tube structure as in claim17, wherein the stabilizing seat is integrally formed with the retainingdevice and the appearance of the stabilizing seat may be aestheticallyappealing.